Category Archives: Page One

In the July 8, 2015 front page article “FS Hears from Travel Plan Objectors,” the fifth paragraph discusses an objection from the Montana Back Country Horsemen. This is incorrect. It is the Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers who submitted this objection. Attached is the link to the full objection submission being discussed in the article:…

By Michael Howell Despite the fact that the Stevensville Town Council approved the location of a proposed bicycle camp in Lewis and Clark Park at its June 25 meeting, in deference to the stiff opposition that was expressed against that location by many members of the public including a petition signed by 436 town and…

By Michael Howell The new Superintendent at the Stevensville School District, Bob Moore, must know a little bit about being a school administrator after serving for 22 years as high school principal in the little town of Manhattan, Montana. “It was a nice town to raise a family in,” said Moore about his long stay…

By Michael Howell The Hamilton City Council adopted a preliminary budget for the coming fiscal year 2015-2016 that mirrors last year, according to City Finance Officer Craig Shepherd. The budget projects about $10 million in total expenses with about $9 million in revenues. Projected expenses are roughly split into thirds with $3,300,000 going to personnel,…

By Michael Howell The proposed federal rule change for determining what waters are considered Waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act has reached final form and is about to be entered into the federal registry. The rule underwent some modifications as it approached adoption at the end of May. According to Nathan Brackman,…

By Michael Howell Dave Schmid, who has been serving up until recently as Acting Regional Forester for the Northern Region, and Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor Julie King met with 15 of the 17 official objectors to the Bitterroot National Forest Travel Plan last week to hear about their concerns face to face. They also heard…

By Michael Howell Low water flows in the river combined with extremely high water temperatures for the season have led the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to place “Hoot Owl” Fishing Restrictions on the Bitterroot River. Following three straight days of unusually high water temperatures, and dozens of dead trout found floating in…

By Michael Howell High temperatures and drought conditions not generally seen until August have driven the fire danger on the Bitterroot National Forest steadily upward. It’s been so hot and dry that fireworks celebrations up and down the valley were cancelled when high winds were forecast for the fourth of July. On June 29, when…

By Michael Howell Habitat for Humanity’s plan to build four new homes in Hamilton hit a road block last week on Tuesday, June 30, when the Hamilton Zoning Board of Adjustment decided on a 5 to 1 vote to deny the requested conditional use permit that would have allowed the homes to be built on…

By Jean Schurman The O’Hara House at 111 South 4th has been the home of Sam’s Spade Garden Tools and Wares for the last eight years and while proprietress Samantha O’Byrne has enjoyed and even had a passion for her role in bringing unique gifts, garden wares, birding books and advice to her customers, she…